Mouse trap



Au 25, 1936. I J. GARLIING 2,052,345

MOUSE TRAP Filed Sept. 27, 1955 Zzzwezz @arZz l! J Patented Aug. 25,1936 UNITED STATES MOUSE TRAP John Garling, Joliet, Ill., assignortoWilliam E. Pratt Mfg. 00., Joliet, 111., a corporation of IllinoisApplication September 27, 1935, Serial No. 42,506

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a mouse trap and, more particularly, to amouse trap equipped with ejecting means.

An object of the invention is to provide a mouse trap equipped withmeans for partially opening the trap after it has closed. A furtherobject is to provide an attachment which may be secured to an ordinarymouse trap, the attachment enabling the jaw of the trap to be raised.Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specificationproceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, by theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a mouse trapequipped with an ejector device embodying my invention; and Fig. 2, abroken perspective view showing in detail the ejector lever.

In the illustration given, I0 designates a base or platform having atits rear side a staple I I to which is pivotally connected a lock stemI2.

i The base or block II] is provided at an intermediate point with theusual pair of spaced staples l3 through which extends a pivot bar It. Awire 5 jaw I5, of the usual construction, has its ends turned to providemetal loops I6 extending about the pivot bar I4. A coil spring I!extends about the pivot bar I4, one of the ends 18 of the springextending rearwardly and engaging the top of the block It and the otherend I9 extending forwardly and engaging one side of the jaw I5. In thisposition, the spring I'I urges the jaw downwardly into engagement withthe block ID.

A pedal or trigger 29 is pivotally secured to the staple 2I at the frontpart of the block Ill. The pedal 2!! is provided at its rear side with avertical wall having a perforation 22 therein and adapted to receive theforward end of lock stem I2.

The ejector device 23 may be of any suitable construction. In theillustration given, it comprises a metal piece having a central verticalflange 24! perforated to receive the pivot bar I l. The forward end offlange 24 is provided near its bottom with a laterally extending flange25 adapted to engage the bottom portion of jaw I5.

The rear portion of the metal strip 23 is preferably twisted at 26 toprovide a flat thumb-rest 21.

In the operation of the device, the jaw I5 is raised against the forceof spring IT and swung to a position to the rear of spring II. It isconfined in this position by lock stem I2, the forward end of which isbrought into engagement with the opening 22 of pedal 20, the pedal 20being raised in order to enable the stem I2 to engage opening 22.Ordinarily, a bait of some sort is placed on the pedal 20. The pressureexerted by spring I! against jaw I5 and thereby against stem I2 causesthe pedal 20 to remain in elevated position. When the pedal 25 isdepressed by a mouse, stem I2 is released and the jaw I5 flies to theforward posi- 5 tion illustrated in Fig. 1. When the operator desires torelease the jaw I5 from engagement with the mouse, it is only necessaryto depress the thumb-rest ET. The forward horizontal flange 25' engagesjaw I5 and, raises it at a suflicient angle 10 to permit disengagement.By this means, it is not necessary for the operator to touch the mouseor any portion of the trap which has been in engagement with it.

The ejector device 23 is also of assistance in 15 setting the trap. Byelevating the jaw I5, the operator is able to grasp the jaw with easeand spring it to its rearmost position.

The ejector device 23 is illustrated in the form of an attachment. Itcan be put into position 29 on substantially any mouse trap as nowconstructed, by passing one end of the pivot bar I4 through the openingof the member 23. It will be understood, however, that the ejectordevice may be constructed as a fixed or integral part of 25 the trapmechanism.

The bar 23 is preferably provided near its lower central portion with arocker projection 28 which, when the entire bar 23 is presseddownwardly, strikes the block Ill and rocks thereon. In other 0 words,it is not necessary for the member 23 to be supported pivotally uponwire I4 but the bar 23 may, if desired, rock on the block.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by 49 Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination with a mouse trap comprising a block, a pivot memberextending across said block, means for confining said pivot memher tosaid block, a striker pivotally mounted on 40 said pivot member, aspring extending about said pivot member and normally urging saidstriker toward closed position, and an ejector device comprising a metalmember having a curved rocker bottom, a rearwardly extending thumb-restand 50 a forwardly extending arm engaging the underside of said jaw,said ejector being centrally apertured to receive said pivot member.

2. In combination with a mouse trap comprising a jaw, a pivot memberextending across said 55 block, a spring extending about said pivotmember, a staple means securing said pivot member above said block, ajaw pivotally mounted on said pivot member, a coil spring encirclingsaid pivot member and normally urging said jaw toward closed position,and an ejector device comprising a vertical body having a curved rockerbottom resting on said block, said ejector device having a rearwardlyextending thumb-member and a forwardly extending arm, said forwardlyextending arm having a lateral flange extending under said jaw.

JOHN GARLING.

